Inclined Press

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention contemplates a lifting apparatus that utilizes traditional free weights which travel on an I-shaped inclined track. The overall frame of the unit is comprised of a base frame, vertical support frame, and a pair of I-shaped inclined tracks, which are sized to accommodate an athlete wishing to engage in standing upper body exercises. In particular, the I-shaped inclined track provides a path on which a weight slide housing travels via a unique roller mechanism. The invention also incorporates a pair safety stop mechanisms and pins, which allow the athlete to control the height from which the lift will begin, as well as preventing the weight bar and weight slide housing from falling below a certain predetermined point.

CROSS REFERENCES

None.

GOVERNMENTAL RIGHTS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is an inclined angle exercise machine that incorporates a unique roller system to maintain consistent weight distribution throughout the entire weight lifting movement cycle, with such movement cycle intended to simulate real-world athletic situations such as activity encountered on a football field.

Today most exercise machines are designed to target highly specific muscle groups by incorporating a very specific exercise movement cycle along a controlled movement pathway. For example, if the athlete wants to work her arm, back, or leg muscles there are machines designed to target those specific muscle groups. During the exercise movement cycle, the athlete begins in a starting position, moves through and beyond a middle position, and concludes with an ending position, often times using numerous repetitions of the same movement cycle. These movement cycles are also known as lift cycles, or lifts.

Exercise machines are preferentially designed to deliver a consistent weight distribution throughout the entire exercise movement cycle by minimizing friction and binding caused by the heavy weight interacting with metal support frames. Machines that are well-designed not only minimize friction but they also closely mimic the real world exercise cycle for which the athlete is training. If the athlete encounters more weight or friction at various points throughout the exercise movement cycle, then lift efficiency is decreased and the athlete becomes more prone to injury during the lift cycle. The goal is to have the weight evenly distributed across the lift cycle such that the weight feels evenly applied at all points in the lift cycle for the athlete, while still maintaining real world applicability.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,985 discloses an adjustable leg exercise device that allows the athlete to engage in various leg exercises such as power hip, leg, or hack squats. Specifically, it incorporates a slide-ably mounted weight-receiving unit incorporating pairs of upper and lower rollers positioned on a V-shaped guide channel. The rollers, V-shaped channel, and weight-receiving unit operate in conjunction to allow the weight to travel along the axis of the lifting direction. One problem with V-shaped guide channels incorporating roller-type mechanisms is that as a result of the direct pressure between the crest of the V-shaped channel and the corresponding depression of the roller, friction binds the unit at the point between the channel and roller. Friction or binding increases as more weight and force is applied, leading to uneven distribution of weight across the lift cycle.

Other types of exercise machines incorporate one or more steel shafts which permit sliding of the weight along an intended axis. U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,797 discloses a guided leg/multi-press machine wherein two vertical steel shafts provide the axis on which the weight travels. One problem with these types of machines is the potential to bind the weight-bearing unit as it slides up and down the V-shaped rails. Binding occurs not only due to friction but also as a result of a athlete unevenly applying more pressure to one side of the unit, which is typical. This binding and uneven pressure is a disadvantage and causes uneven distribution of weight across the lift cycle.

In keeping with the trend to make the exercise cycle more like real world competition, incline training is becoming important to the sport of football because so many players are injured whilst moving in a forward-leaning position. Typically, football linebackers begin in a crouched position and burst forward with every play. At the time of impact on the football field, most players are launching forward. However, most weight training is done in a vertical or horizontal plane that does not mirror or prepare an athlete for the actual incline trajectory surrounding the sport of football. Of the incline based weight training, it has historically only been done only for specific, focused parts of the body. The present invention constitutes a novel approach to incline training that is highly adjustable and which serves the entire body along the full body length in circumstances that most closely mirror real-world athleticism on the football field.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention structurally incorporates an I-shaped inclined track, an enlarged frame suitable for full body exercise, and an improved adjustable safety stop mechanism. These design enhancements are not mere refinements; the enhancements change the way the athlete exercises. They allow an athlete to engage in multiple inclined upper body and lower body exercises with a particular eye to both form and safety that more effectively prepares an athlete for realistic on-field conditions.

The disclosed invention is a lifting apparatus utilizing traditional free weights that are preferentially mounted to an incline system that travels along an I-shaped inclined track. The overall structure of the unit is comprised of a base frame, a vertical support frame, and I-shaped inclined tracks. The I-shaped inclined track provides a path on which the weight slide housing travels, whereupon the weight is distributed across rollers. This I-shaped track is conducive to better weight distribution between the track and roller thereby reducing friction and facilitating an evenly distributed weight along the entire exercise movement cycle. This reduced friction design allows an athlete to more efficiently complete the lift cycle by not experiencing intermittent binding or weight variability. Finally, a safety stop mechanism allows the athlete to preferentially control the range of lift. The athlete can control the height from which the lift will begin and can also preferentially control the lowest point the weight bar can go, thereby serving as a safety precaution to prevent the weight bar and weight slide housing from moving beyond or below a predetermined point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise machine.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the exercise machine.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the weight slide housing and safety stop mechanism and pin.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the weight slide housing.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the adjustable footplate mounting assembly and adjustable footplate.

LISTING OF COMPONENTS

-   101—Base Frame -   103—Vertical Support Frame -   105—I-Shaped Inclined Track -   107—Adjustable Foot Plate -   109—Adjustable Foot Plate Mounting Assembly -   111—Weight Slide Housing -   113—Roller -   115—Safety Stop Mechanism -   117—Safety Stop Pin -   119—Weight Bar

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the disclosed exercise machine is comprised of a base frame 101, a vertical support frame 103, two parallel I-shaped inclined tracks 105, an adjustable foot plate 107, an adjustable foot plate mounting assembly 109, two weight slide housings 111, a plurality of cylindrical rollers 113, two safety stop mechanisms 115, two safety stop pins 117, and a weight bar 119.

The base frame 101 is comprised of two parallel members oriented perpendicular to two cross members, wherein the four members create a rectangular frame, which as a whole engages with the floor. Oriented perpendicular to the base frame 101 is the vertical support frame 103. The vertical support frame 103 is comprised of two vertically inclined posts connected by a cross member distal to the base frame 101. Spaced apart and running parallel to each other, the I-shaped inclined tracks 105 are oriented at an angle between the base frame 101 and vertical support frame 103. The I-shaped inclined tracks 105 have a plurality of corresponding parallel openings extending through the vertical face of each track. The base frame 101, vertical support frame 103, and I-shaped inclined tracks 105 are sized to accommodate a typical athlete wishing to stand and engage in full body exercises.

As shown by FIG. 2, the adjustable footplate mounting assembly 109 contains two separate members. Both members are connected and oriented parallel to the elongated portions of the base frame 101 with one member per side. Each member has a plurality of vertical teeth. The vertical teeth are of sufficient height so as to prevent the ends of the adjustable footplate 107 from moving and are spaced sufficiently far apart so as to allow the respective ends of the adjustable footplate 107 to fit securely in between.

The adjustable footplate 107 has a first end, a mid portion, and a second end. The first and second ends of the adjustable footplate 107 are rectangular in nature and, as noted above, are placed in between the vertical teeth of the adjustable footplate mounting assembly 109. The mid portion of the adjustable footplate 107 is preferentially triangular in nature and is oriented such that it allows the athlete to place their feet on a flat surface while lifting. The mid portion of the adjustable footplate 107 may be textured so as to create friction between the contact face and the athlete's feet to allow for increased stability during the lift. As shown in FIG. 6, the adjustable footplate 107 may be positioned at various points along the length of the adjustable footplate mounting assembly 109 so as to allow athletes of different heights to efficiently use the machine. Alternatively, the adjustable footplate 107 may be removed entirely to provide the athlete with a more real world lift experience.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the weight slide housing 111 is comprised of two pieces generally trapezoidal in nature with each having a track-engaging portion. The track-engaging portion of the weight slide housing 111 is comprised of a C-shaped frame oriented towards the face of the I-shaped inclined tracks 105. The two pieces of the weight slide housing 111 are connected to each other via nut and bolt. The weight slide housing 111 travels along the axis of the I-shaped inclined tracks 105 via a plurality of rollers 113. The non track-engaging portion of the weight slide housing 111 contains an opening through which the weight bar 119 is oriented transversely.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cylindrically shaped rollers 113 are secured between the track-engaging portions of the weight slide housing 111 and the vertical face of the I-shaped inclined track 105. The rollers 113 operatively engage the inner face of the upper and lower horizontal portions of the I-shaped inclined track 105 thereby allowing the weight slide housing 111 to travel along the axis of the I-shaped inclined tracks 105.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the safety stop mechanism 115 and the safety stop pin 117 work in combination so as to prevent the weight slide housing 111 from continued movement along the axis of the inclined track 105. In particular, the upper, force-engaging portion of the safety stop mechanism 115 has a contact surface that engages the weight slide housing 111. The lower portion of the safety stop mechanism 115 is U-shaped in nature having an opening through which the safety stop pin 117 extends transversely. The safety stop pin 117, extending through the opening in the lower portion of the safety stop mechanism 115 extends further through the openings in the I-shaped inclined tracks 105. The placement of both the safety stop mechanism 115 and the safety stop pin 117 may vary and correspond with the openings in the I-shaped inclined tracks 105. This variability allows the athlete to adjust the point to which the lift weight may rise and fall.

As shown on FIG. 2, the weight bar 119 is oriented transverse to the axis of the inclined tracks 105 and the weight slide housing 111. The weight bar 119 is secured through openings in the weight slide housing 111 and may be of any type typical to the industry. Various free weights may be used on the weight bar 119.

To operate, the athlete adds a desired weight to the apparatus. The athlete places at least one foot on the adjustable footplate 107. The area surrounding the footplate 107 is generous enough to allow multiple lifting options such as the athlete using one foot forward or both feet on the footplate 107. The athlete can then undertake a lift cycle that contemplates a full range of motion. If the athlete wants a full body extension, they would begin the lift cycle in a deep squat position and select the weight suitable for that exercise. Moving along the inclined tracks 105, the athlete continues and thrusts upwards into an upright standing position. The weight bar 119 may preferentially rest on the athlete's shoulders behind the head or in front of the head resting on the chest. At this point, the athlete has the option to return to a squatting position or continue beyond into a fully extended position. If the athlete prefers to continue with a full extension, the athlete continues upward thrust using upper body strength and leg strength combined, and the athlete then continues all the way through to the upper limit of the lift cycle using her upper body as she elevates the weight bar 119 and weight slide housing 111 along the full measure of the inclined tracks 105. The lift cycle may preferentially end in a full extension of the weight above the athlete's head, or the athlete may return to the original squatting first starting position whereby the athlete lowers the weight along the inclined tracks 105, returning to the starting deep squat position. This example illustrates the full range of motion along the inclined tracks 105; the athlete may preferentially set the safety stop mechanism 115 at various points along the inclined track 105 using a locking mechanism or pin 117. With this preferential set point along the axis, the athlete is able to work various parts of the body. For example, the pin 117 may be set low in order to work deeper squat positions or it may be set higher to work the upper torso. 

I claim:
 1. An inclined angle exercise machine operable from a standing position, comprising: a base frame; a vertical support frame having an upper and lower end, wherein the vertical support frame is connected at its lower end to the base frame; at least two inclined tracks, each having a first and second end, wherein the first ends are connected to the base frame and the second ends are connected to the vertical support frame, and wherein the inclined tracks share a plurality of openings correspondingly spaced along the length of each inclined track; a footplate mounting assembly; an angled footplate; at least two weight slide housings having a track engaging portion and a weight bar engaging portion, wherein the track engaging portion operatively engages with the inclined tracks; a plurality of rollers oriented within the track engaging portions of the weight slide housings which operatively engage with the inclined tracks; at least one safety stop mechanism; and a weight bar suitable for holding free weights.
 2. The inclined angle exercise machine of claim 1 wherein: the footplate mounting assembly comprises two separate members, each member oriented and connected substantially parallel to the floor base frame, wherein a plurality of vertical teeth are spaced along the length of each of the horizontal members.
 3. The inclined angle exercise machine of claim 1 wherein: the safety stop mechanism is connected to the inclined tracks, each having a first and second end, wherein the first ends serve as a contact face for the weight slide housing and the second ends serve to adjustably secure the safety stop mechanism as a whole to the inclined tracks.
 4. The inclined angle exercise machine of claim 1 wherein: the weight bar is oriented transversely through each the weight slide housings having a first and second end with each end suitable for holding free weights. 